Before we jump into the weird Maryland laws. Let’s see a few facts about the state the U.S. national anthem was written in.
Maryland Facts
MD’s first settlers were natives and it became a British colony in 1634. It was named after Queen Henrietta Maria of England. It is famous for its ports, Baltimore city, Chesapeake bay, and blue crabs.
Crazy Laws in Maryland
Are you ready for some stupid laws in Maryland? Let’s go!
What Is Illegal in Maryland?
- A. Eating While Swimming
- B. Drinking While Swimming
- C. Doing a Back Lap
- D. All of the Above
What to know before you visit Baltimore?
You cannot take your pet lion to the movies at any cost in Baltimore, Maryland. So make sure you book your tickets out of Baltimore. Do not, I repeat, do not begin your fortune telling business here. You will be fined and jailed for doing so. If you are thinking about scrubbing the sink then think again because it is illegal in Baltimore. Never sell chickens or ducklings just after Easter if you don’t want to be fined.
Swearing
Don’t swear within city limits, don’t curse on the highway, never yell profanities in a park, what they are trying to say is, don’t use dirty words at all. Always spit on the road, leave the sidewalks alone. While 25 is the normal limit, you can get upto 30 interrogatories in MD.
Weird Maryland Laws
Other cities are no less than Baltimore. Do you know that you can be jailed for possessing drugs other than marijuana? Here are a few weird MD laws that you should definitely know before visiting.
Ocean
MD tourism thrives on the ocean. Therefore, there are some pretty tight laws like you cannot eat while you swim. Men should never go topless on the ocean city boardwalk. Never mistreat oysters, they are pretty sacred. Always go for a swim in the ocean, public fountains are off limits.
Parks
Following, parks are another breeding ground for strange Maryland laws. You can be fined for wearing a sleeveless top inside parks. Never throw stones or anything that could potentially harm people inside a park. Don’t loiter around parks if you are a tramp or vagrant.
Strange Maryland Laws
Apart from swearing, ocean, and park laws, Maryland is also home to some bizarre laws about living in general. Here are a few laws that will make you rethink shifting to Maryland.
Marriage and Drinking
Wives should never snoop around their husband’s pockets and wallets while he is sleeping. ‘What is yours is mine’ rule doesn’t apply in Maryland. Taking or giving oral sex is a criminal offense (This rule includes animals too). You cannot kiss someone for more than one second in public. If you are a man, never accept a drink from a female bartender at any cost. Always have a male bartender serve you. Condoms can be sold through vending machines near establishments that sell alcoholic liquor only.
Men and Women
If you ever fall for your first cousin, pack your bags and go to Maryland where it is legal to marry them. Teenage girls can get married after 15 if their parents agree or if she is pregnant or given birth. Men, please don’t plant thistles in your yard nor throw hay bales out of your window from the second floor. If you are an alcoholic beverage writer, get your certification done right to get 3 bottles of sample.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it illegal to kiss for a long time in public in Maryland?
Yes, one of Maryland’s more unusual laws prohibits kissing a person in public for more than one continuous second.
What is the strange law regarding scrubbing a sink in Baltimore?
It is illegal to scrub a sink in Baltimore. This extremely specific law is one of the city’s many bizarre, though unenforced, statutes.
Can you take a lion to the movie theater in Maryland?
No. In Baltimore, it is explicitly illegal to bring a pet lion to the movies.
What is the rule about going topless on the Ocean City boardwalk?
Men are not allowed to go topless on the Ocean City boardwalk.
Are there any strange laws about gardening in Maryland?
One unusual rule states that men are forbidden from planting thistles in their yards.
Is fortune-telling illegal in Baltimore?
Yes. Starting a fortune-telling business in Baltimore can result in a fine and potential jail time.
Does Maryland have a strange law about eating while swimming?
Yes, a law related to ocean and tourism states that you cannot eat while you are swimming.
What bizarre rule applies to women and alcohol in Maryland?
There is an old, highly unusual law stipulating that a man should not accept a drink from a female bartender and should always have a male bartender serve him.
Are there any laws governing marital privacy while sleeping?
Yes, one of the stranger marriage-related laws dictates that a wife must not snoop through her husband’s pockets or wallet while he is sleeping.
Is it legal to marry your first cousin in Maryland?
Yes, Maryland is one of the few places where it is legal to marry your first cousin.
Though most of these laws haven’t been enforced for centuries, be ready to lawyer up if you decide to break them. Now gear up for a quiz.